Mixing device for use with insulated container

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for use in mixing fluids within an insulated container. The apparatus allows the stored fluid to be mixed and/or poured without compromising the thermal integrity of the container. This is accomplished by providing an integrated cap that houses a mixing shaft, an optional power supply, and a pouring spout.

1 . A mixing apparatus comprising in combination: 
 a thermally insulated container having a threaded opened end;    a cap having a main housing with a periphery, a threaded upper end and a threaded coupling skirt at a lower end, the coupling skirt threadably securing the cap to the threaded opened end of the container, the main housing including an interior portion, a battery pack positioned within the interior portion, a set of electrical contacts electrically coupled to the battery pack, the main housing further including both a discharge opening and an opposite air intake opening formed proximate the upper end, a power switch operatively connected to the upper end of the main housing and the battery pack, the power switch having first, second, and third orientations;    a pouring ring rotatably secured over the upper end of the main housing, the pouring ring having a spout and an opposite air intake opening, a main cap threadably secured to the threaded upper end of the main housing thereby securing the pouring ring to the main housing, the spout and air intake of the pouring ring being selectively registerable with the discharge opening and air intake opening of the main housing;    a motor housing integrally formed with the main housing and extending downwardly below the coupling skirt, an electric motor positioned within the motor housing, the electric motor including electrical contacts that can be engaged by the electrical contacts of the battery pack, a mixer shaft coupled to the electric motor and extending into the container, a mixer propeller at a distal end of the mixer shaft, whereby activation of the power switch from the first to the second orientation causes the contacts of the battery pack to engage the contacts of the electric motor to thereby impart rotation to the mixer shaft and mixer propeller, activation of the power switch from the second to the third orientation causing the mixer shaft and mixer propeller to rotate at an increased speed;    first and second fluid passages formed within the periphery of the main housing, the first fluid passage providing fluid communication between the container and the discharge opening of the main housing, the second fluid passage providing fluid communication between the container and the air intake opening of the main housing, whereby when the spout and air intake of the pouring ring are in registry with the discharge opening and air intake opening of the main housing, fluid can be dispensed from the container without having to remove the cap.    
     
     
         2 . A mixing device for use in mixing a fluid within a thermally insulated container, wherein mixing and pouring of the fluid can be accomplished without compromising the thermal integrity of the container, the device comprising: 
 a cap having a spout that can be selectively opened or closed and a power switch, the cap being removably secured to the container;    a motor and power supply positioned within the cap, a mixer shaft interconnected to the motor and extending into the container, a mixer propeller at a distal end of the mixer shaft, whereby depressing the power switch activates the motor and causes rotation to the mixer shaft and mixer propeller to thereby mix the fluid;    a fluid passage formed within the cap to provide fluid communication between the container and the spout, whereby when the spout is selectively opened fluid can be dispensed from the container without having to remove the cap.    
     
     
         3 . The mixing device as described in  claim 2  wherein the motor is an electric motor and the power supply is one or more rechargeable batteries.  
     
     
         4 . The mixing device as described in  claim 2  wherein the power supply is one or more photovoltaic cells.  
     
     
         5 . The mixing device as described in  claim 2  wherein the power supply is from an external source of AC power.  
     
     
         6 . The mixing device as described in  claim 2  wherein the power supply is a battery providing DC power.  
     
     
         7 . The mixing device as described in  claim 2  wherein the power supply is the thermal energy of the fluid within the container.  
     
     
         8 . The mixing device as described in  claim 2  wherein the spout is mounted upon a rotatable pouring ring and wherein the spout can be opened or closed depending upon the orientation of the pouring ring.  
     
     
         9 . The mixing device as described in  claim 2  wherein the cap is threadably and removably secured to the container via a coupling skirt.  
     
     
         10 . A mixing device for use in mixing a fluid within a thermally insulated container, whereby a user can mix and pour the fluid without compromising the thermal integrity of the container, the device comprising: 
 a cap having a spout, the cap being removably secured to the container;    a mixer shaft interconnected to the cap and extending into the container, a mixer propeller at a distal end of the mixer shaft, the mixer shaft being rotatable by a user such that the mixer propeller mixes the fluid;    a fluid passage formed within the cap to provide fluid communication between the container and the spout.